These animation sequences are simulations and are not meant to represent a specific region. The climate change-induced scenarios depicted are designed to illustrate changes to the water cycle that may occur over many years. These changes are dependent on location, human impact and many other factors.

In this lesson from Clue into Climate, produced by KQED, students examine the effects of climate change on the watercycle and what this might mean for our planet. Students should have a general knowledge of the water cycle before beginning this lesson.

Explore how glaciers shape topography and how climate change affects glaciers. Consider why glaciers are an important bellwether for climate change. In this lesson from Clue into Climate, produced by KQED, students explore how climate change affects glaciers and what this may mean for the rest of the world.

Approximately 40 percent of California's surface water supply originates from the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. However, climate change is significantly altering this precious water source. With this diagram and accompanying lesson from Clue into Climate, produced by KQED, students will learn about California's historical average snowpack through 1990. Students will also examine how the snowpack is expected to change if temperatures reach the lower end of the predicted warming range by the end of the century.

Approximately 40 percent of California's surface water supply originates from the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Find out how climate change is significantly altering this precious water source. In this lesson from Clue into Climate, produced by KQED, students explore how climate change affects snowpack and water supply.

Deep, fractured rock formations beneath the Earth’s surface are larger water reservoirs for vegetation than previously known. Trees usually rely on precipitation, but when drier times come, they shift to more stable groundwater below the surface.

In this lesson from Clue into Climate, produced by KQED, students will learn about the challenges that climate change presents for four specific Arctic predators. They will explore how such changes ripple throughout ecosystems, habitats, and food webs.

In this video from QUEST produced by KQED, follow a group of UC Berkeley scientists to the top of a 320-foot redwood in Mendocino County. See how scientists are trying to predict how the remaining redwoods and their descendants might fare in the face of climate change in the decades to come.

With this diagram and accompanying lessons from Clue into Climate, produced by KQED, students will investigate how climate models are used to predict how species distributions may change as the planet warms. Students will also learn that plants and animals must be able to move in order to survive significant environmental changes.

With this video slideshow and accompanying lessons from Clue into Climate, produced by KQED, students learn that plants and animals must be able to adapt or move in order to survive significant environmental changes. Students also investigate how climate models are used to predict how species distributions may change as the planet warms.

In this video slideshow and accompanying lesson from Clue into Climate, produced by KQED, students will learn that a slight change in average temperature in an area can result in different vegetation patterns. Students will also discover that climate models project widespread loss of habitat for about two-thirds of California’s plants, and that plants’ ability to withstand a rise in average temperatures is limited.

In this lesson from Clue into Climate, produced by KQED, students will learn that scientific surveys are providing evidence that animal populations in Yosemite and along the California coast have shifted over time in response to rising temperatures.

In this lesson from Clue into Climate, produced by KQED, students will learn that ranges of tide pool species along the Pacific coast are changing in response to warming temperatures. Students will also discover that interactions between tide pool species are altered by the changing distribution of species and that rising sea levels due to global warming affect coastal habitats.

Scientists say it's no secret San Francisco Bay is rising, along with all of the earth's oceans. In this video segment from QUEST, produced by KQED, learn how high and when the Bay will rise and the steps communities can take to plan for it.

Scientists and farmers are starting to notice that as California's winters warm up, the state is becoming more hospitable to agricultural pests resulting in crop destruction and undesirable traits in food. Explore the impact of this phenomenon in this video from QUEST produced by KQED.

This video is available in both English and Spanish audio, along with corresponding closed captions.

By balancing their ecosystem, otters are playing a role in the fight against climate change. Students will learn about the connection between sea otters, sea urchins and kelp forests and understand the importance of a balanced ecosystem and the ability to be resilient to climate change

Watch how this Water Program Director at the Pacific Institute analyzes water data to help inform how to manage California’s water supply. Her job involves working with other scientists and agencies to look at water availability and use in California.

Watch this video to explore how a research technician at UC Berkeley collects and analyzes samples to study redwoods and sequoias in Mendocino County, in order to learn how they respond to climate change.